Fanny was able to witness many political events firsthand, including this moment in Washington D.C. During her recounting of the day, one can sense the feeling of political polarity that Fanny must have partly understood.

 “This was indeed a great day--father made his speech on the admission of Kansas...No Republican member left his seat and the same it was with the “South” “side” excepting Senator Mason” Feb 29, 1860